Wade Flikweert named Gympie Hammers president 2022

The man behind a Gympie mobile phone repair service has stepped up to head the dynamic Gympie Hammers Rugby Union Club. Check him out:

Wade Flikweert is helping usher in a new era of rugby union after being elected the Gympie Hammers president.

“Someone has to do it.”

Gympie Hammers Rugby Union Club new president Wade Flikweert rang in the new year with those words after the club’s former vice-president was elected to the top job.

Flikweert has been part of the club for about seven years in various unofficial positions and despite this being his first term as president he believes it can be one of his strengths.

“I do not know if I feel like I am ready to do the job but I am willing to step up and do my best and give back to my club,” he said.

“With the former president taking a step back for personal reasons, someone had to do it.”

Despite the challenges of the past two Covid affected seasons, Flikweert hopes to bring a fresh perspective to the role and continue the sense of family and community the club has been renowned for.

Flikweert said there were no concrete plans for the return of the Hammers’ women‘s’ team yet, but he hope the club’s talented under 15s and 17s girls teams would help pave the way for it to happen.

“I want to bring a new voice to the table and a difference of opinion,” he said.

“My personal goal is to see the club thriving for the new season which is almost upon us and have our junior numbers continuing to grow.”

Flikweert is one of the youngest presidents the club has ever had.

He is eager to put his best foot forward for the upcoming season.

“Running my own business - Jack Too You Mobile Servicing and Repairs - I feel I am more than capable of being able to think on my feet and thriving under pressure,” Flikweert said.

“Some former committee members have reached out and told me I can contact them with any questions or if I need help.

“It is really good to know I have support and we can all work together and have the club thriving in the year to come.”

The Gympie Hammers have been Flikweert’s home for a number of years, with him serving the club in several unofficial roles.

While there is no firm plan yet for the women’s side returning to the field, Flikweert is confident the strength of their junior girl’s team could drive its return in the near future.

“Our foresight is to work with the junior girls, the under-15s and the under-17s for next year and bring back a women’s opens side,” he said.

“Once you lose a grade it is very difficult to get that side back on the pitch but not impossible and we will be endeavouring to do our best to see the girls side return”.

The new committee is not the only change for the club this season; the Hammers senior men’s games are to be played on Friday nights.

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